Cure of persistent, post-appendectomy Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia with continuous intravenous administration of meropenem

A 15-year-old girl developed a persistent bacteraemia with Klebsiella pneumoniae accompanied by systemic symptoms including high fever and rigors after appendectomy. Extensive laboratory and imaging work-up, including tests for an intra-vascular source of infection, did not reveal the origin of the persistent bacteraemia. The Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to gentamicin and colistin and intermediately susceptible to meropenem. The septicaemia persisted despite the intravenous administration of meropenem 1 g and later 2 g every 8 h in combination with intravenous gentamicin and later colistin. The patient was cured only after the continuous intravenous administration of meropenem of 6 g/d.     

Two cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with obstructive ventilatory disturbance

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) pneumonia is usually considered as a benign disease, but in rare cases, the disease is fatal. Fatal cases requiring mechanical ventilation and many extrapulmonary complications have been reported. Cases accompanied with obliterative bronchiolitis also have been reported. Two cases of M. pneumoniae pneumonia with obstructive ventilatory disturbance were reported. In both cases clinical diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was confirmed by a rise in the complement fixation antibody titer, a rise of the cold hemagglutinin titer and isolation of M. pneumoniae from sputum and pharynx. In one case we performed transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). The lung biopsy specimen showed bronchiolitis, so histological findings were thought to be compatible with ventilatory function. In both cases arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) was below 60 Torr, by administration of erythromycin (EM) and adrenocorticosteroids, chest X-ray findings, atrial blood gas analysis findings and ventilatory function were improved.     

Cavitatory lung disease complicating empyema in children

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of empyema has increased dramatically in children in the UK over the last decade. Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotype 1 is the dominant serotype. We have observed more pneumatocoele and bronchopleural fistulae formation over this time. AIM: Our aim was to determine the number of children who developed cavitatory disease as a complication of empyema at a tertiary referral centre and whether there was any association with S. pneumoniae serotype 1. METHOD: We reviewed 75 cases presenting with empyema or parapneumonic effusion between February 1997 and July 2003. Bacterial culture and pneumococcal antigen detection were supplemented by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect pneumococcal DNA. RESULTS: Cavitatory disease was present in 15 cases. Three children developed bronchopleural fistulae. S. pneumoniae was detected in 13 of 15 cases (4 cases serotype 1, 3 serotype 3, 2 serotype 14, and 2 serotype 9V; serotype assay was not performed in two cases). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated in one case. No organism was isolated in the final case but an Antistreptolysin-O titre was >800 U/ml on two occasions suggestive of group A streptococcal infection. CONCLUSION: Twenty percentage of cases of empyema in our series were complicated by cavitatory lung disease. It is an important complication of childhood empyema associated classically with S. aureus, but these data suggest that S. pneumoniae now appears to be the main cause. There does not seem to be an association with any particular serotype.     

Temporal arteritis and Chlamydia pneumoniae: failure to detect the organism by polymerase chain reaction in ninety cases and ninety controls

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reported correlation between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in temporal artery biopsy specimens and the diagnosis of temporal arteritis (TA). METHODS: Among 90 possible cases of TA identified at our institution between 1968 and 2000, 79 of the positive biopsy specimens (88%) demonstrated giant cells and the other 11 cases (12%) had other histopathologic features compatible with TA; by chart review, all 90 patients were confirmed to have met the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for TA. Controls had negative temporal artery biopsy specimens during the same 32-year time period and their postbiopsy disease courses were not compatible with TA. Controls were matched with each case by sex, year of biopsy, and age within 10 years. The biopsy specimens from all cases and controls were reevaluated and readings were confirmed in a masked manner by an experienced eye pathologist. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses for C pneumoniae were performed on the 180 samples using 2 different sets of PCR primers (which target 2 different genes). A primer set targeting the ompA gene (CP1-CP2/CPC-CPD) was used to perform a nested PCR, followed by confirmation of the findings with primers targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene (Cpn90/Cpn91) in a touchdown-enzyme time-release PCR. We used positive and negative controls, as well as controls made from infected and noninfected HEp-2 cells, suspended in a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded matrix. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of the 180 cases and controls were women. The mean age of the cases was 72.0 years (range 53-90), and that of the controls was 70.4 years (range 51-86). Eighty percent of the control samples were obtained by temporal artery biopsy performed within 1 year of the biopsies performed on the matched cases. Using the CP1-CP2/CPC-CPD primer set, only 1 TA case sample (1% of all case samples) was positive for the ompA gene. One control sample was also positive using these primers. With the Cpn90/Cpn91 primers, none of the cases and none of the controls were positive for the 16S rRNA gene. CONCLUSION: The results of this study using sensitive and specific PCR analyses do not support a role for C pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of TA.     

Renal involvement in Behçet's disease. About six cases

PURPOSE: To analyze anatomoclinic and evolutive aspects of the renal involvement associated to the Beh?et's disease through 6 observations collected in the nephrology department from 1985 to 2000 and to make a review of the literature. METHODS: Retrospective study, diagnosis of Beh?et's disease according to the Classification of the International Group Study on the Beh?et's disease and renal damage confirmed by histology. RESULTS: Our patients all male are aged between 25 to 55 years with a mean at 34 years old. The renal damage was revelated by a nephrotic syndrome in 3 cases and by a proteinuria at 1 to 2.7 g/day in 3 cases. Microscopic hematuria was present in 2 cases and arterial hypertension in 2 cases. The renal insufficiency has been noted in 2 cases of which severe in one of them. The renal biopsy showed an amyloidosis AA type in 3 cases, a segmental and focal glomerulonephritis in 2 cases and a thrombotic microangiopathy associated to a moderate tubulo-interstitiel lesions by toxicity of ciclosporine in 1 case. The extrarenal signs were dominated by bipolar aphtosis in all cases, necrotic pseudofolliculitis and the no specific cutaneous hyperreactivity in 5 cases and the erythema nodosum in 1 case. The ocular manifestation has been noted in 4 cases and articular manifestation in 3 cases. The vascular manifestation has been noted in one case. The treatment was colchicine in 4 cases and prednisone and cyclophosphamide in 1 case. Three patients were lost of view and a patient died in hemodialysis. The 2 other patients with amylosis had persistent proteinuria with a normal renal function. CONCLUSION: The kidney is one of organs that can alter the prognosis of the Beh?et's disease; so, its screening must be realised in each patient with this disease.     

化脓性革兰阴性杆菌性脊柱炎患者的手术治疗效果分析(附13例报告)

目的 分析化脓性革兰阴性杆菌性脊柱炎(Gram-negative bacterial vertebral osteomyelitis,GNB VO)的手术治疗效果。方法 收集2007年1月至2016年12月首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院诊断为化脓性GNB VO并行手术治疗的13例患者的临床资料,13例化脓性GNB VO患者均有感染史或高危感染因素(高龄、并发糖尿病、其他慢性感染、长期使用抗生素、免疫抑制剂等);其中,感染大肠埃希菌9例,肺炎克雷伯杆菌2例,铜绿假单胞菌1例,阴沟肠杆菌1例。对手术前后痛觉视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale score,VAS)、白细胞计数(WBC)、中性粒细胞比率、血红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)等水平进行比较,同时观察末次随访(第12个月末)时术后患者病椎的骨性融合、治愈等情况。计数资料以“ \bar{x} ±s”表示,采用t检验,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果 13例化脓性GNB VO患者末次随访VAS评分[(1.46±0.78)分]、WBC[(7.14±1.20)×10 ⁹/L]、中性粒细胞比率(0.69±0.03)、ESR[(10.29±4.82)mm/1h]、CRP[(3.57±2.07)mg/L]较术前[分别为(7.38±1.19)分、(15.93±2.82)×10 ⁹/L、(0.08±0.02)、(72.71±18.45)mm/1h、(53.20±18.25)mg/L]均明显改善(t值分别为33.34、8.99、6.40、9.21、6.67,P值均=0.000)。13例患者经敏感抗生素联合手术治疗12~16周后均治愈,其中1例肺炎克雷伯杆菌感染患者术后2周因刀口破溃,行3次负压封闭引流治疗后刀口延期愈合。全部患者末次随访时均获得骨性融合,无复发。结论 化脓性GNB VO患者经过敏感抗生素联合手术治疗12~16周后,VAS评分、WBC、中性粒细胞、ESR、CRP水平均较术前明显改善,可达到骨性融合的治愈目的。     

Chest radiograph of atypical pneumonia: comparison among Chlamydia pneumoniae. Pneumonia, ornithosis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

No report has been found comparing Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) pneumonia radiographically with other atypical pneumonias, Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) pneumonia. We described the chest radiographs of three kinds of pneumonia cases: 46 cases of C. pneumoniae pneumonia, 39 cases of C. psittaci pneumonia, and 131 cases of M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Radiographic shadows were categorized into main shadows and sub-shadows. The main shadows are classified from the viewpoint of the characteristics; air space consolidation(AS), ground-glass opacity(GG), reticular shadow(RS), bronchopneumonia(BP), and small nodular shadows (SN). The size, the site, and the number of the main shadows were also analyzed. In comparison among the three pneumonias, BP was the most frequent in M. pneumoniae pneumonia (0.40/case). AS predominated in C. pneumoniae pneumonia (0.67/case), and GG in C. psittaci pneumonia (0.62/case). The number of main shadows was equal, about 1.4/case in three pneumonias. Large shadows were less frequent in M. pneumoniae pneumonia than C. pneumoniae pneumonia (p = 0.02) and C. psittaci pneumonia (p = 0.01). Main shadows were more frequent in the outer zone in M. pneumoniae pneumonia than C. psittaci pneumonia (p = 0.01), and in the middle zone in C. psittaci pneumonia than in M. pneumoniae pneumonia (p = 0.02). Cases with bilateral main shadows were less common in M. pneumoniae pneumonia (9%) than C. pneumoniae pneumonia(33%, p = 0.001) and C. psittaci pneumonia(30%, p = 0.005). Thickening of bronchovascular bundles as a sub-shadow was most frequently noted in M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Some differences among the three atypical pneumonias were seen in the chest radiograph. However, no specific findings of C. pneumoniae pneumonia were shown radiographically in this study.     

小剂量~(131)碘治疗儿童Graves病42例疗效观察

目的　探讨小剂量 1 31 碘 (1 31 I)治疗儿童 Graves病的疗效。方法　 1 31 I剂量降至常规计算用量的 1/2～ 2 /3,1次顿服 ,3个月为 1个疗程 ,进行疗效复查 ,总剂量 37～ 185 MBq。结果　 4 2例患儿中 ,痊愈 38例 ,治愈率为 90 .5 % ;显效 2例 ,占 4 .8% ;无效 1例 ,占 2 .4 % ;1例出现早发甲状腺功能低下 (甲低 ) ,经治疗后恢复。治愈总疗程 1～ 3个 ,时间 3～ 9个月。痊愈病例中 ,服药 1个疗程治愈 17人 (44 .8% ) ,2个疗程治愈 16人 (42 .1% ) ,3个疗程治愈 5人 (13.1% ) ,观察 3～ 5年 ,38例治愈患者中未出现甲状腺功能亢进症复发或晚发甲低。结论　小剂量 1 31 I是治疗儿童 Graves病安全、有效的方法。     

老年人肺孢子虫所致院内获得性肺炎

目的提高临床对老年人非人类免疫性缺陷病毒（HIV）感染者肺孢子虫所致院内获得性肺炎（HAP）的认识。方法回顾性分析收治的5例非HIV感染者肺孢子虫所致HAP的临床资料。结果5例患者,男性4例,女性1例,年龄84～96岁,均有严重的多种基础疾病,4例因肺部感染诱发严重呼吸衰竭,经人工气道长期应用机械通气,机械通气期间反复发生机械通气相关性肺炎（VAP）,并因此长期反复应用多种广谱抗生素,1例为脑血管病后遗症伴有意识障碍反复多次发生HAP,亦反复应用多种广谱抗生素。5例患者均有长期发热,均伴有明显的呼吸道症状,4例肺部可闻及湿？？音及干鸣音,另1例仅闻及吸气相干鸣音。5例患者中有3例X线胸片显示双肺弥漫性斑片影,1例为右肺大片状阴影,左下肺少许斑片状阴影,另1例为右肺大片状阴影;1例有网状纹理,3例有双侧胸水,1例为单侧胸水。5例患者中3例痰找肺孢子虫和肺孢子虫PCR阳性;另2例为痰肺孢子虫PCR阳性,痰找肺孢子虫阴性。5例患者HIV抗体均阴性;5例患者中有3例辅助性T淋巴细胞（CD4）减少,CD4/CD8比值降低。确诊肺孢子虫肺炎（PCP）后,4例患者中在原有治疗的基础上加用或单用复方磺胺甲恶唑片,3例治愈,复查痰找肺孢子虫和肺孢子虫PCR均阴性,1例应用复方磺胺甲恶唑片3 d后因原有肾功能不全恶化而停用,2个月后因多脏器功能衰竭死亡。1例未治死亡。结论老年、反复应用广谱抗生素、血CD4减少者,即使没有HIV感染,在长期应用呼吸机期间或反复发生HAP,发生肺孢子虫所致重症HAP是可能的,死亡率高。     

An Asian study on the prevalence of atypical respiratory pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: In many parts of Asia, the inaccessibility and high cost of diagnostic tests have hampered the study of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by atypical respiratory pathogens. OBJECTIVE: This surveillance study examined the frequency of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila in 1756 patients presenting with signs and symptoms of CAP at 12 medical centres in Asia, using standardised laboratory techniques and interpretation criteria in all participating centres. METHODS: Diagnosis of current infection was based on significant changes in antibody titer or persisting high antibody titers, together with the presence of bacterial DNA in respiratory secretions, in the case of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae infections, or bacterial antigen in urine, in the case of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 infection. RESULTS: Using these criteria, results from 1374 patients with paired sera showed that, overall, 23.5% of CAP cases were associated with infection with atypical respiratory pathogens, with M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila being found in 12.2%, 4.7%, and 6.6% of cases, respectively. Persisting high antibody titers indicative of past exposure to M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. pneumophila were seen in 10.2%, 4.8%, and 18.9% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data reflect the overall high prevalence of these atypical pathogens among Asian patients with CAP.     

Microbial pattern of acute infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive airway disease in a hospital based study

Chronic bronchitis is associated with acute exacerbation, most often infective in origin. In order to study the bacteriological profile in such cases a total of 58 patients were enrolled in this study from the chest clinic of our hospital. The male to female ratio was 2 to 1. Mean age of study group was 47 years. All patients had increased cough and sputum production. Barlett count, gram stain and sputum cultures were done for all patients. IgM and IgG antibodies for M. pneumoniae by ELISA were estimated in all cases. The etiological diagnosis could be established in 72% cases. S. pneumoniae (25.8%), P. aeruginosa (12%), Klebsiella sp (10.3%), B. catarrhalis (3.4%), S. aureus (1.7%) were isolated. Although M. pneumoniae was not cultured it was demonstrated serologically in 20% of cases. H. influenzae was not isolated in any case. The frequency of isolating an etiological agent increased with severity of dysponea.     

Two cases of diffuse panbronchiolitis receiving long-term erythromycin (EM) therapy with acute exacerbation due to EM-resistant pneumococcus]

The first case was a 73-year-old woman with chief complaints of fever, cough, purulent sputum and dyspnea. EM therapy was begun in December 1983 due to a diagnosis of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). Subsequently, P. aeruginosa was persistently detected, while in February 1991 at the time of an acute exacerbation of the DPB P. aeruginosa and S. pneumoniae were detected by TTA. The second case was a 65-year-old man with chief complaints of fever, cough and purulent sputum. DPB was diagnosed and EM therapy was begun in December 1985. In January 1991, pneumonia developed, at the time when S. pneumoniae was detected by TTA. In both cases, rapid disappearance of S. pneumoniae from the sputum and alleviation of symptoms were obtained with carbapenem antibiotic administration. Both strains were resistant to EM, Tetracycline (TC), Minocycline (MINO) and Clindamycin (CLDM). Particularly, S. pneumoniae of case 2 showed low sensitivity to Ampicillin (ABPC), Cefotiam (CTM) and Cefoxitin (CFX) as well. These cases showed acute exacerbations due to EM-resistant pneumococcus during long-term therapy with EM, and are of interest in that they may shed light on the relation between long-term EM therapy and the emergence of resistant pneumococcus.     

Epidemiology of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella longbeachae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae: 1-year, population-based surveillance for severe pneumonia in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Legionella species, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae are recognized as important causes of pneumonia in high-income countries, but their significance in middle-income countries, such as Thailand, is unknown. METHODS: Population-based surveillance identified inpatient 3489 cases of clinically-defined pneumonia in a rural Thai province for 1 year. Patients who had a chest radiograph performed (for 2059 cases of pneumonia) were enrolled in an etiology study (which included 755 cases of pneumonia among 738 patients). Paired serum, nasopharyngeal swab, and urine specimens were obtained for diagnostic immunologic and molecular tests. Patients aged <18 years were not systematically tested for Legionella species. We report a lower limit of incidence (observed incidence) and an upper limit extrapolated to persons not tested or not enrolled in the study. RESULTS: The incidence of pneumonia due to Legionella longbeachae requiring hospitalization was 5-29 cases per 100,000 population. No case of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia was observed. The definite C. pneumoniae pneumonia incidence was 3-23 cases per 100,000 population; rates were highest among patients aged <1 year (18-166 cases per 100,000 population) and those aged >or=70 years (23-201 cases per 100,000 population). M. pneumoniae pneumonia had a similar age distribution, with an overall incidence of 6-44 cases per 100,000 population. These pathogens were associated with 15% of all cases of pneumonia. A nonsignificantly higher proportion of patients with pneumonia associated with L. longbeachae, compared with patients with pneumonia associated with M. pneumoniae or C. pneumoniae, required supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation (45% vs. 18%; P<.1). Among patients with atypical pneumonia, only 15% received antibiotics with activity against the associated pathogen. CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and L. longbeachae, but not L. pneumophila, are frequently associated with severe pneumonia in rural Thailand. Few patients receive antibiotics that cover atypical pathogens.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae in otorhinolaryngological infection

I detail clinical observation, examination, and treatment of regional otorhinolaryngological infection 3-cases of acute sinusitis and 1 of acute pharyngitis-due to Chlamydia pneumoniae, occurring between January 2002 and December 2004. Special clinical features by infection with C. pneumoniae were not recognized in the 4 cases, while ordinary clinical features by conventional bacterial infection were recognized, such as pharyngalgia and pyrexia for acute pharyngitis and purulent discharge and headache for acute sinusitis. I diagnosed an infection for C. pneumoniae for 1 case with acute sinusitis by detecting a causative factor gene of C. pneumoniae by PCR. I diagnosed C. pneumoniae for the 2 other cases of acute sinusitis and the case of acute pharyngitis by confirming antibody titer of C. pneumoniae ascending by serological verification. The 1 adult acute sinusitis case and the acute pharyngitis case were treated using a new quinolone antimicrobial agent. I administered macrolides antimicrobial agent to the 2 acute pediatric sinusitis cases and attained good outcomes without recurrence. We wish to emphasize that C. pneumoniae infectionin in the otorhinolaryngological setting has not been adequately reported and has not received the attention it deserved. If a good outcome cannot be attained using the beta-lactam antimicrobial agent for otorhinolaryngological infection, it should be sought using a macrolides antimicrobial agent or the new quinolone antimicrobial agent for adults and with the macrolides antimicrobial agent for pediatric cases.     

非人类免疫缺陷病毒感染者卡氏肺孢子虫所致机械通气相关性肺炎五例

目的提高临床对非人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染者罹患卡氏肺孢子虫(PC)所致机械通气相关性肺炎(VAP)的认识。方法回顾性分析我院南楼临床部2000年10月-2003年10月收治的5例非HIV感染者PC所致VAP的临床资料。结果5例患者均为男性,年龄71-93岁,均有严重的基础疾病,均因肺部感染诱发严重呼吸衰竭,经人工气道长期应用机械通气,机械通气期间反复发生VAP,并因此长期反复应用多种广谱抗生素。5例患者均有发热,大多伴有明显的呼吸道症状,4例肺部听诊可闻及湿罗音。5例患者中有4例x线胸片显示两肺弥漫性斑片影,另1例右肺密度普遍增加;2例有网状纹理,2例胸水增加。5例患者中有4例痰找PC和PCPCR阳性;另1例痰PCPCR阳性,痰找PC阴性。5例患者HIV抗体均阴性。确诊PCP后,5例患者在原有治疗的基础上加用或单用复方新诺明(SMZeo),4例治愈,复查痰找PC和PCPCR均阴性,目前尚未发现有重新阳性者。1例死亡。结论老年、反复应用广谱抗生素或糖皮质激素、恶性肿瘤晚期者,即使没有HIV感染,在长期应用呼吸机期间,发生PC所致VAP是可能的。     

Acute exacerbations due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in chronic lower respiratory tract infections during long-term macrolide therapy]

In Japan, long-term 14-membered macrolide administration is chosen as a first line therapy against chronic lower respiratory tract infections (CLRTIs) such as diffuse panbronchiolitis, bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis. However, sometimes acute exacerbations occur in these cases, even if therapy is effective. We investigated 18 episodes of CLRTIs exacerbations that were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae during long-term macrolides therapy from 1991 to 1999 to clarify the clinical features and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in S. pneumoniae. Exacerbations did not occur only in winter season, but also in other seasons. Among 18 episodes of exacerbation, only 7 episodes (39%) revealed infiltration in chest roentogenogram and few episodes revealed marked elevations of inflammation markers in laboratory data. Intermediate resistance or resistance rates of S. pneumoniae isolated from sputum or transtracheal aspiration were 100% to erythromycin, 67% to clindamycin or minocycline, 11% to ampicillin, and 0% to cephazoline or imipenem. Coresistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and minocycline was seen in a half of the episodes. Resistance was not correlated with the duration of macrolides administration. All episodes were mainly treated with beta-lactam agents or fluoroquinolones and cured successfully. These findings suggest that acute exacerbations in CLRTIs caused by S. pneumoniae during long-term macrolides therapy do not reveal severe clinical aspects and can be treated successfully at present, but attention should be paid to the trend of antibiotic susceptibility in S. pneumoniae.     

Parenteral infusions bacterial contamination in a multi-institutional survey in Mexico: considerations for nosocomial mortality.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral infusions can be contaminated during administration (extrinsic contamination). A previous survey found that extrinsic contamination was not uncommon in a hospital in Mexico with lapses in aseptic techniques. To determine whether this problem exists in other similar institutions, we undertook a multi-institutional study. METHODS: We surveyed 6 hospitals (A to F) lacking an infection control committee to determine the level of extrinsic contamination. We visited each hospital and obtained samples of all the parenteral infusions in use, drawing 0.5-1 mL from the tubing injection port. Quantitative and qualitative bacterial cultures were performed. Chlorine levels of the tap water were measured. Visits were repeated until the survey was completed. RESULTS: A total of 751 infusions were cultured, of which 16 (2.13%) were contaminated. Hospital contamination rates varied from zero to 5.56%. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common isolate (10 cases). During the first sampling day in hospital C, the 7 infusions from the pediatric ward were found to be contaminated with a similar K pneumoniae strain. In-service education was started in this hospital. Infusion contamination was eliminated followed by a reduction in mortality rate. Overall, a higher risk for infusion contamination was noted for pediatric patients (P =.01, odds ratio = 3.28, 95% CI, 1.10-9.91) and in wards with inadequate water chlorine levels (P =. 02, odds ratio = 3.64, 95% CI, 1.08-13.51). CONCLUSIONS: If the hospitals surveyed are representative of others in developing countries, an endemic level of parenteral infusion contamination could exist in many hospitals throughout the world.     

原位肝脏移植术后远期胆道并发症的处理

目的探讨肝移植术后远期胆道并发症的防治措施。方法回顾性研究2006年5月～2008年9月我中心90例肝移植的临床资料。结果90例肝移植患者中12例发生远期胆道并发症（13．3％）,其中胆漏1例,吻合口狭窄3例,非吻合口狭窄3例（其中ABO血型不合1例）,活体肝移植术后胆肠吻合口狭窄1例,胆道结石4例。1例晚期胆漏患者充分引流后治愈。吻合口狭窄患者中,1例行PTCD球囊扩张术,2例行EB．CP球囊扩张术,共有2例放置了胆道内支架,介入治疗后恢复良好。非吻合口狭窄患者中,1例实施二次肝移植后治愈,另2例行PTCD联合胆道镜治疗,1例好转,1例死亡。活体肝移植术后胆肠吻合口狭窄者行经PTCD外引流后恢复良好。合并胆道结石患者中2例胆道结石经EST取出,1例泥沙样结石经ERCP胆道冲洗加溶石治疗后治愈,1例胆道铸型结石经EST治疗效果不佳。结论肝移植术后远期胆道并发症的处置,关键在于早期诊断,明确病因,及早采用ERCP、EST、PTCD及B超引导下穿刺置管引流等个性化治疗措施可取得积极效果。     

Pneumococcal endocarditis in Alaska natives. A population-based experience, 1978 through 1990.

BACKGROUND. Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis (IE). We studied the presentation, microbiologic characteristics, and outcome of nine cases of S pneumoniae IE during a 12 1/2-year period in a population of 75,000 indigenous Alaska Natives (ANs), who have documented high rates of invasive pneumococcal disease. METHODS. Fifty-six cases of IE occurred in ANs statewide during 1978 through 1990. Medical records of all nine confirmed cases of S pneumoniae IE were reviewed. Incidence rates for S pneumoniae IE and all IE were calculated. RESULTS. Alaska Natives experience S pneumoniae IE as a fulminant illness, with acute aortic valve insufficiency (100%) frequently requiring emergent valve replacement, S pneumoniae meningitis (56%), and death (33%). No patient with S pneumoniae IE had known preexisting heart disease, and the most common underlying disease was alcoholism (56%). Pneumonia was diagnosed and embolic complications were suspected in 33%. All five S pneumoniae isolates examined were penicillin sensitive and were of serotypes included in the pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal IE accounted for 15.8% of all IE diagnosed in ANs. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates for IE of all causes and S pneumoniae IE were 8.5 and 1.5 per 10(5) persons per year, respectively. During 1986 through 1988, 4.3% of AN adults diagnosed with S pneumoniae bacteremia developed S pneumoniae IE. CONCLUSIONS. Pneumococcal endocarditis in all but one AN case required emergent valve replacement and had a 33% mortality. The annual incidence rate of S pneumoniae IE in this population was five to 37 times higher than contemporary rates elsewhere. Increased efforts to prevent pneumococcal disease in ANs appear warranted. Clinicians everywhere should anticipate the possible development of S pneumoniae IE in adult patients with pneumococcal sepsis, especially with meningitis, even with previous vaccination and prompt adequate antimicrobial therapy.     

Septic arthritis in the adult caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: a report of 4 cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES: To identify coexistent diseases, clinical features, approaches to management, and predictors of outcome in patients with pneumococcal septic arthritis. METHODS: Case series of 4 adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae septic arthritis seen at a university hospital, plus a review of 115 adults with pneumococcal septic arthritis reported in the medical literature from 1973 through 2003. RESULTS: Among our 4 patients, 3 had polyarticular infections, joint prostheses were involved in 1, 3 had underlying joint diseases, and 1 had concurrent meningitis. Infection was caused by penicillin-intermediate/cephalosporine-susceptible S pneumoniae in 1 patient and penicillin-resistant/cephalosporine-intermediate S. pneumoniae in 1 patient. After a mean treatment duration of 6 weeks, all patients were clinically cured of infection. Review of the literature identified 115 cases of S pneumoniae septic arthritis in adults. Clinical data were available for 107 patients. Twenty-nine cases were polyarticular (26%), joint prostheses were involved in 15 patients (13%), and 61 patients had underlying joint disease (57%). Meningitis was a concurrent infection in 15 cases. The presumed primary focus of infection was the respiratory tree in 44 patients. Ninety-six percent of cases were caused by penicillin-susceptible organisms. Cure of infection with survival was achieved in 83% (79 of 95) of patients with native joint septic arthritis and in 67% (8 of 12) of patients with prosthetic joint infection. A good functional outcome (full range of motion or return to baseline range of motion) after infection was achieved by 44 of 71 patients (62%) with native joint infection and by 4 of 7 patients (57%) with infections of prosthetic joints. The likelihood of cure of infection or good functional outcome was not influenced by method of joint drainage. CONCLUSIONS: S pneumoniae is an uncommon, but not rare, cause of septic arthritis in the adult. Many patients have underlying joint disease (especially rheumatoid arthritis) and coexistent alcoholism. Although most infections involve native joints, prosthetic joint infections comprise 13% of cases. Polyarticular disease occurs in approximately one quarter of patients. Most patients have a preceding or concurrent extra-articular focus of pneumococcal infection. To date, the majority of reported infections are caused by penicillin-susceptible organisms, so penicillin G or a third-generation cephalosporine such as ceftriaxone remains the appropriate treatment option. However, infection with drug-resistant organisms is likely to be an increasing problem in the future. With directed antimicrobial therapy and appropriate joint drainage, the outcome is generally good for patients with native joint infections. In contrast, only two thirds of patients with infections of prosthetic joints survive their infections. Approximately 40% of surviving patients experience functional impairment or chronic pain as a sequelae of their infection.